Research

Researchers from the University of Eastern Finland studied 2,300 middle-aged men for an average span of 20 years. They categorized the men into 3 groups, that is according to how often they used sauna each week. The men spent an average of at least 14 minutes per visit baking in 175° F heat.

Over the course of the research, 49% of the men who went to a sauna once a week died, as compared with 38% of those who went for 2-3 times a week and just 31% of those who went 4-7 times a week. Frequent or regular visits to a sauna were also linked with lower death rates from stroke and cardiovascular disease.

The results does not come as a surprise to a cardiologist at Harvard-affiliated Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Dr. Thomas H. Lee. The cardiovascular effects of sauna have been documented in the past. Using sauna helps in lowering blood pressure, and there is reason to believe that its effects are good for blood vessels.

Earlier studies have shown that regular sauna bathing may be beneficial to individuals with risk factors for heart disease, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. It is generally safe and beneficial for people with mild heart failure, but may not be so good for people with a recent heart attack and unstable angina.